Cannot extrude simple polygon.

[Sean Harrington Architects 1]

Hi All, 

 

I have a quick query regarding extruding polygons. We are currently creating a context model that combines the massing model tool with simple extrusions. Sometimes the file will not extrude for us. Is there any reason why a simple polygon will not extrude? Is it the fact that we have a DWG referenced into the file? or is there some setting that must be turned on to ensure  the extrusion tool will work? Our polygons/shape wont even highlight red at the moment.  

 

Any advice would be very really useful.

 

Thank you. 

[Kevin McAllister 1,162]

Are you able to post a file that contains one of the polygons that you are unable to extrude? Are the polygons 2d or 3d?

 

Kevin

 

[CipesDesign 153]

Best guess is that the Polygons are being created in a Class which is not visible/editable... Make sure that Classes are set to Show/Snap/Modify Others... If that's not it, then yes please post a file.

[Andy Broomell 1,152]

If they won't even highlight, it sounds like a class or layer settings issue as described above.

 

Another thing to check: make sure when you select the Polygon that the OIP actually says "Polygon" (or Polyline). If it says something different, such as Group or Symbol, you won't be able to extrude without first going inside the container, or ungrouping it.

[David S 189]

Hi Sean, a better late than never production. Sometimes it's as simple as have you checked the polygon is "closed" in the Object info Pallette?  It won't extrude if not closed. Hope you are enjoying the heatwave over there, was in Rush 2 weeks ago!

[Tamsin Slatter 513]

This sounds to me like a problem with the geometry being too far from the internal origin.

I suggest you run Tools > Origin > Center Drawing on Internal Origin. 

This will move the geometry (along with the user coordinates) close to internal zero.

When importing DWG files, on the Location tab, choose the default option to center geometry on the internal origin to avoid this problem. Don't worry... the coordinates that you see and interact with will be preserved, so you will still be able to line up geometry with any third party's geometry.

[Michal Zarzecki 46]

Hi guys.

We also tend to have a problem with extruding sometimes.

 

For example, we created some 3D objects by extruding some time ago. Now we need to amend their height and some of them just don't seem to react with the extrude tool.

 

I also tend to struggle with using Push/ Pull mode. I watched the videos and it seems dead simple, but very often I create a simple box shape, change the drawing plane to one of its faces, draw my new shape and rather than being pushed inside, for example, it creates a new solid inside the original one. I then need to subtract. Is there any setting that controls this behaviour? I might still be missing some settings hence not making the most of it.

 

I would appreciate your thoughts.

[Wes Gardner 334]

@Michal Zarzecki...the sequence has to be followed EXACTLY or you'll get the results you've mentioned - see video

 

Wes

 

 

[Michal Zarzecki 46]

@Wes Gardner, thanks for that. I did miss the Option key (this is on Mac, isn't it?). I need to try it out as shown.

 

Thanks for the time being and hopefully for good.

[Wes Gardner 334]

@Michal Zarzecki...yep, this is on a Mac...

 

Happy modeling!

 

Wes

[Emilie F 0]

Hello to all,

I'm very new with vectorworks but I've been trying to make some modeling and it appears that I'm stuck now ; I'd like to do the sequence to subtract some holes in a wall, but every time I want to draw the rectangle on the surface, I get stuck on the X plan, can't have it draw on the wall as I see it. I'm pretty sure it's something very simple but I've tried many options and looked it up, without result...

I'm also stuck with some extrusion object (rectangles on a wall) not doing the holes I'd like them to do...

 

Thank you if anybody has any hint at all that could help me on the correct way...

 

Have a nice day !

 

Best

Emilie

[Wes Gardner 334]

@Emilie F.  there are two VERY different issues here.  If you want to create a hole in a wall and have the wall stay a "wall", the easiest way is to use a Window and set it to "Opening" - see attached screen shot. You can then use its parametric ability to change the size and location within the wall.  If you are MODELING with SOLIDS, the operation is different. See the post below...

 

Wes

 

 

[Wes Gardner 334]

@Emilie F if you are MODELING with solids, you can use the Automatic Working Plane ... see attached video.  This operation uses SOLIDS that are extruded from 2D shapes using Automatic Push/Pull and the Automatic Working Plane.  The operation where one is subtracted from the other uses the Option key to inform the program to subtract one from the other.  You must draw your rectangle on the face of the object, start the Automatic Push/Pull and then BEFORE you finish the operation, hold the OPTION key down and then complete the subtraction.  If you look at the Working Plane Control, you can see where it is set to Automatic - this lets you perform the subtraction. It's a bit tricky to hold the Option key down at the correct time.

 

Wes

 

 

[Emilie F 0]

Hello @Wes Gardner,

Thank you so much ! 🙏

Have a nice day

Emilie